Barbara "Bobbe" Jeanette Kraayenbrink

Born at home in Pico, CA on 2/13/1930 to Cyrus and Fern Eshelman, she was the youngest of 4 children. With 3 older brothers: Grayston, William and Reed, she grew up strong and fearless! Her parents owned and operated a small restaurant called “The Naughty Noodle”, where Bobbe worked after school once she was old enough. She loved music and studied piano, becoming quite accomplished. Bobbe was also a gifted artist who worked with many mediums: pastels, oils, pen and ink, acrylics, and sculpture, talent that would supplement her income. Bobbe graduated from Whittier High School in California. 

Bobbe married John Lind in 1952, who passed away in 1978. She remarried Merl Kraayenbrink in 1981 and they lived in Covina, CA until 1983 when they moved to Prescott, AZ. While there, she volunteered at the Charlotte Hall Museum, taught at Yavapai College, and volunteered at the local hospital. Bobbe was always busy with handwork projects like knitting, crocheting, and tatting (the “lost” art of handmade lace). She also enjoyed painting, sculpting, working with ceramics and stained glass. Bobbe and Merl moved to Durango in 1993, where she remained active in Neo Delphians Club and volunteered with Project Linus for many years. 

After Merl passed away in 1996, she lived with her daughter, Wendy Klemm, and shared in many adventures during those years. In addition to her daughter Wendy of Durango, CO, Bobbe has two step daughters: Diane Haug of Tucson, AZ and Janice Ahuna of Penole, CA, and two step sons: Tom Kraayenbrink of Bayfield, CO and David Kraayenbrink of Woodruff, SC. 

Bobbe would say how blessed she was to have all of us in her family, but each of us will carry with us the blessing of having her in our lives. A celebration of Bobbe’s life will be held later this summer in an effort to accommodate family coming from out of town. Please contact the family at kwardcrew@yahoo.com for details or if you have special thoughts to share with the family.